If you can get past the BIOS try starting in Safe Mode with networking, download and install the drivers from http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx?tab=1&modelId=50, there is a drop-down OS selector there. Although a blinking cursor at boot usually points to a a hard-drive issue. You may want to do a hard-drive scan using a BIOS utility if you have one, or a boot CD (Ultimate Boot CD has a drive utility).